14-Apr-17 – Disability rights activists took their protest to the New East Side on Monday and into the lobby of 340 on the Park, where Governor Bruce Rauner and his wife own a condominium unit.

The Chicago chapter of ADAPT, a grassroots organization fighting to end institutional bias against the disabled, says Rauner threatens their independence and livelihood.

“For nearly two years, people with disabilities have tried to work with Governor Rauner,” said Ryan McGraw (left), co-coordinator of Chicago ADAPT. “But the Governor has failed to listen and continues to promote policy that threatens the independence of people with disabilities and policy that is fiscally irresponsible.”

Specifically, they want Rauner to support a bill in the Illinois General Assembly that would allow a disabled person in the Home Services Program of the Illinois Department of Human Services to hire a personal assistant of their choice and determine the number of hours the assistant will be needed.

They say limiting the number of overtime hours that home assistants can work “poses an extreme threat to their independence.” They also say Rauner has passed up millions of federal dollars available through the Affordable Care Act that could be spent on the Home Services Program.

“We are furious because he’s neglected the Home Services Program and other programs that empower people with disabilities like me to live in our own communities rather than in nursing homes and institutions,” said Justin Cooper, an ADAPT member.

In the lobby of 340 on the Park, McGraw read a list of demands for Rauner, who he says, “continues to fail to come to the table with home services workers, home services providers, and our disability allies.” The Rauners own a penthouse on the 61st floor of 340 on the Park. On Tuesday, the group was at Thompson Center in the Loop. (Right) Chicago police officers arrive on bicycle and advise the group to take their protest outside. Recalled one protestor, “Police say we should exercise our right outside, not on private property.”